Knit Purl Combinations

Of all types of knitting patterns, knit-purl combinations are the simplest in technique— though not necessarily naive or crude in design. On the contrary, many knit-purl patterns are highly sophisticated. The fancier ones require just as much care and patience on the part of the knitter as do the intricate figures in lace or cable stitches.

However, because of the simplicity of technique, most knit-purl patterns work very quickly. The new knitter will find them useful as an introduction to pattern work in general; even though she may know nothing more than "knit" and "purl", she can still create handsomely designed fabrics and in so doing, gain practice in stitch-counting and shaping. Nor docs the experienced knitter ever consider herself above using simple knit-purl combinations, because many of them give beautiful effects that cannot be obtained by any other method.

Any fabric with a knit-purl design should be firm and solid, in order to show the design to best advantage. This means that the needles should not be too large in proportion to the weight of the yarn. Oversized needles make a loose, limp, sloppy piece of knitting, perhaps with small holes at the points of change from purl to knit or from knit to purl stitches. So there is an upper limit on needle size. If you are trying to adjust your gauge to that of a commercial garment design, and require larger needles than the recommended size, be careful. Should your knitting become too loose, keep the smaller needles and cast on an extra inch or two of stitches to make the necessary width measurement in your gauge.

Colors should be solid, loo, to do justice to a knit-purl pattern. Stripes of contrasting color usually detract from the motifs, which are subtle rather than bold. Variegated or ombre yarns also can "kill" the pattern. Heavy or bulky yarns, however, do quite well in knit-purl combinations, which can give bulky knits just the right amount of texture interest when a bolder pattern might be excessive.

KNIT-PURL COMBINATIONS 3

Knit-purl combinations fall roughly into three categories: rib, welt, and scatter patterns. Rib patterns arc those in which the motifs arc mostly vertical, in knit stitches displayed against a background of purl. Welt patterns are those in which the motifs are mostly horizontal, in purl stitches on a background of knit stitches. In scatter patterns, the two types of stitches are more or less evenly distributed, so that the fabric will incline to lie flat. Some patterns combine these types, like the "basketweavc" patterns in which welts predominate for a few rows, then ribs in the next few rows.

These patterns make wonderful sweaters, jackets, coats, dresses, cushions, afghans, baby clothes—anything. Try out as many as you like, and use them where you will. Why make your first sweater a plain, featureless, around-the-house garment, when with just a tiny extra effort you can work it in one of these patterns and make it an "original" that you would be proud to wear anywhere? Why learn to knit on a plain ribbed or garter-stitch scarf, when you could make it of a beautiful pattern stitch in the same amount of time? With knit-purl combinations, pattern knitting comes easily, does not bore the knitter, and yields results so satisfying that the beginner is encouraged to move on and try different techniques later.

Sailor's Rib Pattern

Sailor's Rib Pattern

Like Double Seed Stitch, which it resembles in part, this pattern demonstrates the fact that a design so simple that any child can make it still looks interesting and effective. This attractive rib texture is good for sweaters, coats, scarves—almost anything. It also looks well in panels, combined with cables or other patterns.

Multiple of 5 sts plus 1.

The interesting thing about this simple knit-purl fabric is that it looks exactly the same on both sides, even though the two sides are differently worked. It is not sufficiently elastic to be used as a true ribbing, but a beginner could use it as an attractive allover texture for sweaters, jackets, scarves, or baby blankets. It has no curl, and therefore serves well as a border pattern wherever the springiness of a true ribbing is undesirable, such as on button bands, pockets, and coat cuffs.

Multiple of 6 sts.

Row I — * K3, p3; rep from *. Row 2—* Kl, pi; rep from *.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2.

Steep Diagonal Rib

Left impressed, this pattern gives an attractive texture of deep rounded ribs running diagonally. This, or variations of it, is often used to make heelless socks such as bed socks, which will adapt to the shape of the foot and ankle without any shaping of the knitting itself.

Odd-numbered rows used on the right side will make diagonal ribs running upward to the right. Even-numbered rows used on the right side will make the ribs run upward to the left.

This pattern looks the same on both sides, and when left un-presscd it makes a fabric that is very gently fluted or "rippled" into wide, soft ribs. It is excellent for straight, gathered skirts, because the flutings will gather themselves nicely at the upper edge and can be drawn together as tightly or loosely as desired. Fluted Rib is good too for scarves, baby blankets, afghans and throws, and it is easy for the novice knitter to work.

Multiple of 8 sts plus I.

Rows 6, 7, and 8—K4, * pi, k7; rep from *, end pi, k4.

Fluted Rib

Shadow Rib

Just the very simplest kind of knitting makes this neatly ribbed fabric for all kinds of sweaters, skirts, coats and dresses. It will not "draw in" like a true ribbing, and it gives the general appearance of a purl fabric ornamented with slim vertical bars.

Belt Welt

Easy enough for the rawest beginner to work, yet attractive enough for the expert to choosc on occasion, this pattern gives a pleasing texture to sweaters, scarves, and baby things. The wrong side is interesting, too. Belt Welt is also one of the best patterns in the world for garments that are worked sideways— from the right side seam to the left side seam or vice versa.

Seeded Rib Check

Here is an easy texture pattern that is very handsome in sport sweaters, jackets, and casual dresses. The Variation, below, gives a softly ribbed fabric similar to Mistake-Stitch Ribbing, not elastic enough for a true ribbing but very attractive for an entire garment. Both patterns are reversible.

Multiple of 4 sts plus 3.

Repeat Rows 1-12.

VARIATION: SEEDED RIB PATTERN

Contributed by Ruth Berry, Cleveland, Oh to

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 only of Seeded Rib Check, above.

above: Seeded Rib Check below: Seeded Rib Pattern

Square Lattice

This charming rectilinear design is very simply constructed of knit ribs, purl welts, and seed stitch blocks. It will make beautifully tailored suits, coats, and jackets, or easy afghan squares and baby blankets.

Seed-Pearl Block Stitch

Definitely a pattern, yet definitely understated, this subtle arrangement of tiny purl dots can be worked by any person capable of counting up to 8. It is appropriate for almost any kind of knitwear. It can also be worked crosswise, as in a garment that is knitted in the length from one side to the other. If desired, a strand of contrasting color can be threaded through the purl stitches in the vertical rows and through the knit stitches in the horizontal rows, to make a plaid effect.

Multiple of 8 sts plus 1.

Row 1 (Wrong side) and all other wrong-side rows—Purl.

Repeat Rows 1-12.

Ripple Stripe Pattern

Contributed by /hldegard M. Eisner, Aldan. Pennsylvania

This is a very pretty and very simple variation on Ripple Stitch, excellent for "easy-knit" but attractive sweaters, skirts, and dresses.

Little Pyramid

Here is a handsome little texture pattern that is really a six-row development of Double Seed Stitch. The "little pyramids" are wide, short triangles of knit and purl stitches. If the odd-numbered rows are used on the right side, then the knit triangles will point

Little Pyramid above: Knit Pyramid BEl.ow: PurI Pyramid upward and the purl triangles will point downward (Knit Pyramid). If the odd-numbered rows are used on the wrong side, then the effect is reversed (Purl Pyramid). The forward-and-backward alternation of the same three rows to form the pattern is interesting. The fabric is flat, firm, and shapely, requiring little or no blocking.

Multiple of 6 sts plus 5.

Repeat Rows 1-6.

Little Pyramid above: Knit Pyramid BEl.ow: PurI Pyramid

Rib and Welt Diagonals

The interesting thing about this fabric is that it is entirely reversible—the same on both sides—except that the diagonals run in opposite directions. If odd-numbered rows are used as right-side rows, the diagonals slant to the right. If even-numbered rows are used as right-side rows, the diagonals slant to the left.

This pattern is perfect for a simple scarf, such as a beginner might make as soon as she has learned to knit and purl. Such a scarf shows the same attractive texture any way it is turned, and looks very "professional" despite the simplicity of the pattern.

Simple yet handsome, this pattern makes dramatic coats, suits, and sweaters. Since the stitch gauge is approximately the same as stockinette stitch, the novice knitter can substitute this pattern for a "plain" garment with satisfying results.

Seaweed above: Even-numbered rows on right side below: Odd-numbered rows on right side

Seaweed above: Even-numbered rows on right side below: Odd-numbered rows on right side

Seaweed

This pattern makes two quite different designs, depending on whether the odd-numbered or even-numbered rows are shown. With the even-numbered rows on the right side, it looks more "seaweedy", with off-center ribs waving gracefully to the left. With odd-numbered rows on the right side, the motifs become gently curved knit blocks tending upward to the right.

Thunderbird Pattern

The "thunderbirds" are shallow purled triangles with a knit rib in the center. Arranged in this way, they make a horizontal type of pleating that is pretty when worked from the top down, because the pleats then roll under slightly at the bottom, as if the fabric were tucked horizontally. The thunderbird motifs also can be worked at a distance from each other, spaced apart on a stockinette fabric.

This pattern is a real "cheat". With only simple knit and purl stitches it endeavors to capture the flavor of the classic Aran Diamonds with Moss Stitch. The Moss Stitch is there; but since there is no cabling, the knit borders of the diamonds lack the highly embossed beauty of the real thing. However, the pattern is not unattractive, and could be well used in a sweater that is not as fancy as a true Aran knit but where a little texture interest is desired.

Moss Stitch Zigzag

Here is a simple texture panel that can be used in combination with fancier panels or continuously all the way across a fabric. When two panels of Moss Stitch Zigzag are worked on either side of a common center, one of them should be started on Row 1 and the other on Row 9 so that the design will balance.

Moss and Rib Block Stitch

Two versions of the block stitch arc given—two different patterns, actually, but both having moss and ribbing elements. Both can be shown either way round. The odd-numbered and even-numbered sides of the fabric are different, but equally attractive. Beginners may enjoy either version; the pattern rows are easy to remember and plain to see, but changeable enough to prevent boredom while knitting.

A comparison of these two patterns is instructive in the matter of vertical and horizontal motifs. Although both patterns are arranged so as to have the same number of rows and stitches, yet their shapes differ. The Ribbing Diamonds appear larger and higher, and—naturally, since they are composed of ribbing—they draw the fabric together more. The Ribbing Diamonds fabric has a very beautiful wrong side consisting of diamonds outlined by purl, which could serve as well as the right side in many cases. But the wrong side of Garter Stitch Diamonds is not particularly interesting, since purl and garter stitch do not offer much contrast to each other.

Both patterns can be rearranged in a multitude of ways. They can be made bigger or smaller, taller or wider, or even combined— ribbed motifs can alternate with garter stitch motifs either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.

Both of these patterns consist of vertical ribs with pointed "pennant" motifs branching off from each side alternately; and both have extremely attractive designs on the "wrong" side of the fabric, so the knitter can use either pattern cither way round.

In this handsome pattern are flattened diamonds decorated with alternating diagonals. The wrong side is very attractive. Fancy Lozenge Pattern serves nicely for afghan strips, sweaters, skirts, and baby blankets.

This pattern is ideal for scarves, because it is exactly alike on both sides. It is a rather ingenious arrangement of Moss Stitch "diamonds"—which aren't true diamonds, as they are off-center by one stitch -with lozenges of knit and purl. A smaller version, which splits the lozenges across the middle and places the diamonds in vertical alignment, can be had in either of two ways: by working Rows I —24 only, or Rows 25—44 only. In either case, the back and front are still identical.